Come Down Part 1

Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!' Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. 2 Kings 1:9 – 10
Many people find themselves uncomfortable when they read this incident in the life of Elijah. I think it is because many people do not want to believe in the God that brings judgment upon people. They are quick to give their opinions about God and in so doing they create a god to their liking. However, God is not a God that can be defined by human creativity or intellect. God is not safe but He is good. When Elijah was confronted by the captain and his fifty men he called down fire that consumed them. To our thinking this does not seem like the actions of a man of God. Elijah knew the heart of Azariah and that he had no respect for either God or His prophet. Elijah knew it was a dangerous act to ridicule God. If the king and his men would do it and get away with it then the people would follow.